Enemy Rising

I've read a lot of zombie fiction and with the pandemic there seems to be even more lately. Every time I think I've seen it all a new indie voice comes along to prove there are still fresh spin on the rot walkers, or cursed as they are referred to in this novel.

This is more character driven than monster moved, and that works well here as it has a deeper layer exploring a culture and time I wasn't too familiar with. That said, the writing was wonderfully immersive, pulling me into the foreign setting with ease in all of the multiple perceptive it was split between.

Historical zombie fiction?... yep, and it works beautifully.

So I want to start off by stating how unimpressed I expected to be with this zombie book and how pleasantly surprised I was to find I was very wrong in my assumption.

The story is easy going, filled with a lot of adventure, and struggles. The characters are constantly debating with themselves, second guessing their morals; is this the right thing to do or not. It made me question whether if I would make the same decisions in those situations. Also the story is set in an incredibly unique place, India + jungle + zombies = one hell of a page turner.

The story itself is very intriguing, it's written in a way that makes you wanna get the answers to all your questions. You get scared, suspicious, you just want more and more of it. If you enjoy action, adventure, drama, humor, and/or zombies, then this book has something for you! I can honestly say it’s worth the read and I intend to read it again. A round of applause to the author, C. J. Fisher, for making me a fan! I’ll be keeping an eye out for more of their work!

I could not put this book down! I'm not usually a historical fiction person, but you add zombies and I am there! The only thing I didn't about this book was that I forgot it was a trilogy when I started reading and it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. I MUST read the next one. I have got to know what happens!

A thoroughly enjoyable book based in early 1800's India. Even though it is classed as a Zombie "cursed" story I found that part of the story to be incidental at this stage. By that I mean that the story focuses on four characters and develops them through the story with their various interactions. The zombie theme is the underpinning of the book but at this stage of the story it focuses more on the characters. It is not all about the action and gore but has enough action for me to keep those pages turning. Overall it is well written book that left me wanting more! Can't wait for the next book.

This book was a very interesting twist on the zombie apocalyptische stories. It's set in the 1800's in India and told from 4 different pov's. An english soldier, a Princess, a Prince and a 11 year old orphan girl. Their lifes are interwoven in the fight against the curseds and search for a cure. I loved the fact that every character is not completely good of evil but each one of them is flawed in some way. Understandably flawed, but still. The intrigue and storyline kept me wondering, the main characters are interesting and I am invested in their fate. I can honestly say I am eager to read the next book in the series. Pick this one up and you will hopefully be just as pleasantly surprised as I was.

***An ARC was provided by netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***

Enemy Rising by C.J Fisher
Enemy Rising is based in India focusing on the royalty within the palace and the British army who are both under attack by the cursed. The King and his two children are battling with political pressure and rebels whilst keeping the city safe from the flesh-eating forces.
Sarah is an eleven year old girl who is orphaned and kidnapped, taken to the city with the intention of being sold as a slave before being saved by the Kings guard. She then embarks on a training programme with the intention for her to become the personal guard of the princess.
Although this book has the underlying threat of zombies throughout the main theme is the relationships of the main characters and the other trials which impact their lives. The characters are well written and I was rooting for the Princess, Sarah, the monkey Prince and the young British soldiers throughout the story.
This book will have a second part, so it did not answer all questions fully, however it gave enough of a close ending with minimal ‘cliffhangers’. I will look to read the second part when it is released as I really did enjoy this story and I would like to know more about Sarahs background.
4.5/5

History meets horror in the character-driven novel Enemy Rising (The Cursed Chronicles Book 1) by C.J. Fisher.

A curious twist to the zombie genre, Enemy Rising mixes Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith with the historical English occupation of 1800's India. C.J. Fisher has put in the work to bring forward the rich tapestry of the culture during that period.

The addition of zombies does not diminish the plot. It incentivizes the characters and enlivens the action. The historical setting does wonders to lift the well-known zombie drama, but don't be fooled that this is all horror and no story. Following four distinct POVs, an orphan girl, a Prince, a Princess, and an English soldier, Enemy Rising is all about storytelling as each character tries to survive and find a cure.

C.J. Fisher succeeded in creating an immersive beginning to a series and lifting a common horror trope to new heights.

i actually really enjoyed reading this book, I liked that it was different from the typical zombie book. I enjoyed that it was set in the past which made it a unique read.